Won't Boot

[Skye]

I bought a new bigger RAM stick, took out the two old sticks and inserted the
new one, now the computer won't boot, all I get is a white message box saying
the monitor is going to sleep and then a black screen and the monitor changes
to standby. I can't get past this screen no matter what keys I press and even
the boot disk won't work. I've taken out the new memory and reinserted the
two original sticks but it still won't boot. It fires up but there are no
beeps, the lights and fans come on though. I'm running XP Home SP3.
What's gone wrong?

Skye

--

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I bought a new bigger RAM stick, took out the two old sticks and inserted
the
new one, now the computer won't boot, all I get is a white message box
saying
the monitor is going to sleep and then a black screen and the monitor
changes
to standby. I can't get past this screen no matter what keys I press and
even
the boot disk won't work. I've taken out the new memory and reinserted the
two original sticks but it still won't boot. It fires up but there are no
beeps, the lights and fans come on though. I'm running XP Home SP3.
What's gone wrong?

Skye

Since there are no beeps and no BIOS messages, you're dealing not with a
Windows problem but with a hardware problem. Best to post your question in a
hardware newsgroup.

 

[Unknown]

Make certain the old memory cards are well seated.

 

[Skye]

OK, many thanks!!
--

Since there are no beeps and no BIOS messages, you're dealing not with a
Windows problem but with a hardware problem. Best to post your question in a
hardware newsgroup.

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Saturday, January 10, 2009 8:40:00 AM, and on a
whim, Skye pounded out on the keyboard:

I bought a new bigger RAM stick, took out the two old sticks and inserted the
new one, now the computer won't boot, all I get is a white message box saying
the monitor is going to sleep and then a black screen and the monitor changes
to standby. I can't get past this screen no matter what keys I press and even
the boot disk won't work. I've taken out the new memory and reinserted the
two original sticks but it still won't boot. It fires up but there are no
beeps, the lights and fans come on though. I'm running XP Home SP3.
What's gone wrong?

Skye

Hi Skye,

Your system may require pairs of RAM. Did you verify what you purchased
would work in your system?

If you put your old RAM back in and it still doesn't work, can you
access the BIOS? Verify the BIOS sees the RAM and then report back.

Have you ever replaced RAM before? You may have damaged the motherboard
or another component by static electricity or bumping another cable.
Verify all your cables are securely inserted.

--
Terry R.

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[Skye]

Hi Terry,
Yes, I verified the product before purchasing.
No, I can't access the BIOS or anything else although for one fleeting
moment at first Windows loaded and I was able to check that the RAM had
registered, it had, then it just cut out completely and I haven't been able
to boot since.

Yes, have inserted RAM before in this PC with no problem, just wanted to
upgrade to more, hence replacing the two originals with this one.

All cables have been checked, removed and checked again.

Skye

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Sat Jan 10 2009 10:14:01 GMT-0800 (Pacific
Standard Time), and on a whim, Skye pounded out on the keyboard:

Hi Terry,
Yes, I verified the product before purchasing.
No, I can't access the BIOS or anything else although for one fleeting
moment at first Windows loaded and I was able to check that the RAM had
registered, it had, then it just cut out completely and I haven't been able
to boot since.

Yes, have inserted RAM before in this PC with no problem, just wanted to
upgrade to more, hence replacing the two originals with this one.

All cables have been checked, removed and checked again.

Skye

If you're unable to get a post notification beep, check the motherboard
manual if you have one or go to the manufacturers website and see it you
can obtain any error codes that the motherboard may be giving.

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
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Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

 

[thecreator]

Hi Skye,

Is this a Custom-built computer? You have not posted anything on the
brand of computer, model number or if a Desktop or Laptop computer.

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

the ram may not be
installed securely or
the ram became faulty
on first use.

you may have even
received bad ram.

I'm not sure if the laws
of physics still apply to
ram, but there was a
time if people were not
securely grounded, then
the built up charge could
damage the component.

in any case, it should not
be a great burden for you
to double check the ram
chips and their seating.

also, temporarily re-install
your old ram during your
analysis.

perhaps, you have two
slots for ram, so you might
be able to add one of
your old rams into the
first slot and the larger
one in the next slot or
vice versa.



--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

 

[Skye]

No error codes given, the PC is dead apart from the initial fans, lights.
monitor screen before going to sleep.

 

[Skye]

Yes, it's a custom built desktop PC, getting on a bit now, 5 years old. The
company have since gone out of business.

 

[Skye]

Have done all this and tried them in alternative slots etc etc and they are
quite firmly secured as when you put them in the ends click together. As it
stands the old ram sticks are reinstalled.

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

ok, then I would chalk
it up as bad ram or
incompatible ram.

I would suggest to utilize
a memory diagnostic tool
from microsoft.com

but frankly speaking, the
issue is quite simple.

in one hand you have a
new ram chip that doesn't
work and in the other hand
you have good ram.

thus return to vendor.

you might also want to
check the bbb and see
if that vendor has a habit
of re-selling bad ram.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:38:54 PM, and on a
whim, db ´¯`·.. > pounded out on the keyboard:

ok, then I would chalk
it up as bad ram or
incompatible ram.

I would suggest to utilize
a memory diagnostic tool
from microsoft.com

but frankly speaking, the
issue is quite simple.

in one hand you have a
new ram chip that doesn't
work and in the other hand
you have good ram.

thus return to vendor.

you might also want to
check the bbb and see
if that vendor has a habit
of re-selling bad ram.

You missed what they said. The old RAM is back in and the computer
still won't boot.

--
Terry R.

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[Terry R.]

The date and time was Saturday, January 10, 2009 12:47:01 PM, and on a
whim, Skye pounded out on the keyboard:

No error codes given, the PC is dead apart from the initial fans, lights.
monitor screen before going to sleep.

So there are no LED's flashing a certain amount of times (maybe one
flashing faster than another, like morse code, or an LED chip with
numbers appearing? Most motherboards have post error codes, but you
need a manual to understand what they are. You just can't look at a
board and think, "hmm, it's not telling me what's wrong." It most
likely IS giving some codes, or it died altogether.

Is the hard drive spinning up? If not, maybe your power supply is going
out.

--
Terry R.

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[db ´¯`·.. >]

ok, thanks.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

 

[Skye]

On the front of the PC the red light comes on as though it's doing something
but then goes out altogether along with the screen on the monitor. The hard
drive is spinning when I start the PC. How can you see the motherboard error
messages if there is no screen or no beeps, forgive me for being niaive about
this.

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Sat Jan 10 2009 15:59:00 GMT-0800 (Pacific
Standard Time), and on a whim, Skye pounded out on the keyboard:

On the front of the PC the red light comes on as though it's doing something
but then goes out altogether along with the screen on the monitor. The hard
drive is spinning when I start the PC. How can you see the motherboard error
messages if there is no screen or no beeps, forgive me for being niaive about
this.

First, you have to open the case, find out the manufacturer of the
motherboard, the locate a manual for it for post error codes. Some use
a flashing LED like morse code, some have a small LED chip that displays
numbers. Looking in the manual will tell you which kind of failure has
occurred. You may want someone that has done this before to look at it
for you, someone you trust, not just any computer shop.

--
Terry R.

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[Skye]

I've already looked in the manual for problems, the only thing on the
motherboard that lights up inside the case is a green light when the PC is
switched on which is normal by all accounts. Have been to the Tech store this
morning and the guy there thought it was the graphics card, figures as the
monitor plugs into it and I'm getting no picture, now to get someone to fit a
new one, but not in the store at those silly prices.

 

[Skye]

So much for sending me to a Hardware Newsgroup, no-one has answered and here
I've had more help than anyone can possibly expect. Go figure Pegasus - lol !!